KARNS CITY — When it came to athletics, Tom Wagner never saw himself as an administrator.

The former Moniteau and Karns City boys basketball coach figured he was better suited to supervise from the sidelines, not from a desk.

He was wrong.

Wagner, who is in his 17th year as athletic director of Karns City High, was named the Athletic Director of the Year by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association.

Wagner, 52, has been president of PSADA for the past two years. His term expires June 30.

"It's sort of tradition for our outgoing president to receive this award," said PSADA executive director Robert Buckanavage. "But Tom's record of involvement speaks for itself. His merits are worthy of this honor at any time."

The award is given to recognize meritorious service, leadership and special contributions to interscholastic athletics.

Besides his duties as Karns City athletic director, Wagner has served on district and state boards for years. He has been a postseason game manager for numerous District 9 sports and was instrumental in developing PSADA's "Guide for New Athletic Directors."

Buckanavage said the mentorship program's handbook might be Wagner's most significant contribution to athletics.

"So many people have benefited from that program," Buckanavage said. "Tom has natural leadership qualities. He's carried the banner of our organization extremely well."

Wagner is in his 31st year in education, his 29th at Karns City.

"There was a time that if somebody would have told me I'd be an athletic director, I'd think he was badly mistaken," Wagner said. "I wasn't sure if I wanted to get into the administrative side of it.

"I took a shot at it and it turned into a good fit for me."

After a year of coaching basketball at Moniteau while teaching at Karns City, Wagner served as the Gremlins' boys basketball coach from 1990-93.

He took over as KC athletic director in the fall of 1993.

"Ken Fair used to be athletic director and he was my mentor," Wagner said. "He showed me how to be an athletic director and allowed me to grow at the same time.

"Our school district has always been supportive and sports-minded. (Superintendent) Dr. Larry Henry and (principal) Dave Beck have cooperated and worked with me more than I had any right to expect."

While Wagner must travel to eight or nine PIAA board meetings each year, he does much of his district and state work from his office at Karns City High after school is dismissed.

"I have a two-hour window there where I get a lot of stuff done," he said. "During the school day, I'm a driver's education teacher and athletic director for this school."

On event nights, Wagner might be away from home from 7 a.m. until as late as 11 p.m.

"Without family support, no way could I do this," Wagner said. "(Wife) Cindy and my two sons have been tremendous. Watching Jeff and Steve come through our athletic program here, getting to see them play all their games — I wouldn't trade that for anything."

Wagner was nominated by then DuBois High athletic director Roger Collins to run for PSADA president eight years ago and lost by one vote.

The president is elected by a vote of all 12 PIAA districts.

"When that happened, I set a goal. This (presidency) was something I wanted to do," Wagner admitted. "I wanted to prove I could do it. Instead of quitting, I worked a little harder, became more determined.

"I like new challenges. I don't know what an eight-hour day is. I don't think any good athletic director does."